3 healthy tips on how to make lemonade when life gives you lemons…

What to do when life gives you lemons… Don’t make lemonade. Make life take them back.

Who bloody wants those ‘lemons’ in their life anyway?

Admittedly, this was a challenging post for me to begin to write, as almost all of my commentary on Melbourne Girl comes from a happy place in my soul. My blog has, and always will be, a place for me to share my passions and all my favourite things to see, do and experience in the beautiful city I call home, Melbourne.

Yet as I reflect on one of the most challenging years of my life, I thought there would be no better time than now to step back a little and just share some hard truths… That is, that life isn’t always easy. That sometimes you have to deal with some really awful shit. And everyone will experience this kind of hardship in their own way. And each of you reading this can probably already relate to some degree on one or many aspects of your life, because let’s face it, who knows what everyone deals with in their life outside the norm (working hours etc)?

On my journey as ‘Melbourne Girl’ I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with so many wonderful writers. A team of talented women who contribute their time to share their own experiences to my blog, from their point of view.

These women come from all walks of life, have their own journeys and most importantly, their own set of expertise. When I shouted out to each of them, letting them know that I was going to put together this post, I asked if they would share some thoughts and suggestions on how I can help myself get back on top of life, or at least start to adjust to the best path possible?

The responses I received were incredible and I want to thank each of these hard-working women for being truly wonderful and supportive. Below you’ll read their advice and words of wisdom, each unique, and each valuable in many ways.

Please don’t hesitate to shout out any questions or thoughts of your own, in the comments at the bottom of this page!

Don’t feel you always need to be ‘on top of life’ because 100% positivity is a fallacy.

We need the bad to realise all the good, to make us better humans and sometimes the best medicine is to cry. However, if you want to set yourself on a better, more positive path in life take time to identify your values. If you’re living in accordance to them, great! If you’re not chances are things will (or currently are) fall out of alignment and bring about their own circumstances of negativity.

Understanding your values means your life choices will be made based on what you truly want, believe and feel. This is the BEST way to live. Your life should brings you happiness, joy, fulfilment and love. It should make you proud. Yes, it can be scary, challenging and uncertain at times but that’s what growth and achievement is all about.

LOVE your life, OWN your emotions, EMBRACE personal growth (even if it is scary at times) and most importantly be PROUD of yourself, you’ve got this!

Food and Mood

Clare is a Melbourne based (degree qualified) nutritionist, passionate about helping people feast on Melbourne eats with health in mind. Read her posts on Melbourne Girl here.

Everyone has a bad day now and then, and we are always looking for ways to make it better. Did you know that food and mood can be directly linked?

Research suggests that in particular processed foods, sugar, trans and saturated fat and a reduction in fibre and folate may be partly responsible for increased mood swings. No single food will help you to feel better on the gloomy days, but these are five tips to help.

1. Keep off the caffeine

When we are feeling tired we will often reach for coffee, but self-medication with caffeine can cause insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, stomach irritation and increased heart rate. Next time try something without caffeine.

2. A sugar hit

Bad moods can often result in an urge for a sugar binge. Sugar is a simple carbohydrate which is quickly absorbed and gives you a hit of energy. This hit generally provides no useful nutrients and does not last very long, additionally it can result in regret. These outcomes will not help change your mood.

3. Give me that fatty food!

Like sugar, feeling sad or grumpy can result in a urge for some stodgy, fatty food. This almost always results in overconsumption of saturated fats, feelings of discomfort and feelings of remorse. Next time try a pho or another form of healthier comfort food.

4. Where is that polyunsaturated fat?

Omega-3s are the good fats, these are polyunsaturated fats that our body cant produce so we need to source them from our food. There is some evidence which suggests that eating omega-3s might benefit individuals suffering depressed moods. So head for the salmon and walnuts.

5. No, don’t go back for seconds

When we are feeling down, we might be tempted to over eat to “make us feel better”. This is a very short term solution, as overconsumption can lead to stomach discomfort and food regret worsening how we felt in the first place.

So, next time your day is not going as planned try to think of these tips and get some fresh air too!

Paint the picture – Where do you want to go?

By day, Lucy is a Wellness Coach in training and by night, she’s an explorer. A lover of discovering new places, new people, new taste sensations and new looks, there’s no place she’d rather be than Melbourne. Read her posts on Melbourne Girl here.

What do you want to be? How do you want to feel?

Set a clear vision for where you’re heading and it will make the journey there that much easier. Continue with the things and relationships that make you feel good and aid your end goal, drop those that are preventing it or dragging you down.

Find your Wolfpack – surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you and add value to your life. Laugh, listen and live in the moment with people who understand you and fan your flame.

Take pride in your temple – your body is the most important gift you’ve ever been given so nurture it. Eat well, keep moving and nourish your soul at every opportunity.

Make like Pharrell Williams – do what makes you happy! Sign up to that yoga class, sleep in at the weekend or book that adventure of a lifetime. Big or small, do something everyday that makes you happy and take the time to celebrate these joys in your life!

FURTHER READING

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.

Emily Collie is Founder and Editor of well-known Australian travel blog, Melbourne Girl. Emily has written travel articles for Expedia, eHarmony, Amex Shop Small Blogger Series and Racing.com, and has been featured on many Australian websites including Mimco Mimzine and Bonds Australia Blog, and was invited on behalf of the VRC and Myer, to judge the Myer Fashions on the Field competition on Emirates Melbourne Cup Day.

1 Comment

[…] further useful advice on when life gives you lemons, I wanted to take you to this blog post: “3 healthy tips on how to make lemonade when life gives you lemons…” because the three simple things it shares it what I basically agree on. […]

MELBOURNE GIRL

The Melbourne Girl team enjoy a coffee hit every morning, are a step ahead of trends and are always up for a great time. We love a good sale, a long brunch on the weekends and are forever on the hunt for hidden shopping gems, delicious eateries, must-see sights and awesome events. We seek to provide insights that only a local can share and strive to immerse all our readers in the perfect Melbourian lifestyle!